It is my fear that all too many of us who prepare Bible studies or sermons have a propensity to jump the gun when it comes to our own transformation. What do I mean by this?
How often have you studied a passage and prepared a talk and found it hugely stimulating. Stimulating because it really will resonate with those who will listen. In fact it is so stimulating, that you binge on it for several hours. It is like you have just eaten a delicious meal. You have gorged yourself with God's finest cuisine.
The problem all too often is that we can't wait to throw it up. We get so excited to share it that we forget to let it digest into our own heart. We fool ourselves into thinking that just because we have studied, that somehow it has taken root into our lives.
The bigger problem is that we are misleading those who are listening. They see this lean and mean Bible teacher on the outside, but who is really starving on the inside. So we go on living this secret lifestyle where no personal transformation has taken place.
God told Joshua not to let the book of the law depart from his mouth but to also meditate on it day and night. Meditate means to ruminate. This means to chew on it over and over and then make sure your swallow.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Vulnerability
Let me begin with a quote from a great book called "Getting Naked" by Patrick Lencioni.
"Vulnerability. It is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood of all human qualities.
Without the willingness to be vulnerable, we will not build deep and lasting relationships in life. That's because there is no better way to earn a person's trust than by putting ourselves in a position of unprotected weakness and demonstrating that we believe they will support us. Yet society encourages us to avoid vulnerability, to always project strength, confidence, and poise. Although this is certainly advisable in some situations in life, when tit comes to important, ongoing relationships, it stifles our ability to build trust."
In order for us to be vulnerable as ministry we must get over 3 basic fears: The first is the fear of losing people. We are often afraid if we show weakness that people will not follow us. On the contrary people respect honest humility.
Secondly there is always a fear of being embarrassed. None of us like to make mistakes but it is always better to admit them and take responsibility for them. I don't know about you, but I have great respect for those who are willing to admit they messed up rather than covering it up or blaming somebody else.
Finally the fear of feeling inferior. None of us like to admit that we don't have all the answers, especially when people are counting on us for advice. Unfortunately we are all too often concerned about protecting our intellectual pride and maintaining our social status.
Why do I bring this up? Too many pastors and leaders are insecure enough not to make themselves vulnerable, when in reality we can best emulate Jesus when those opportunities confront us.
After all didn't almighty God become a man?
"Vulnerability. It is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood of all human qualities.
Without the willingness to be vulnerable, we will not build deep and lasting relationships in life. That's because there is no better way to earn a person's trust than by putting ourselves in a position of unprotected weakness and demonstrating that we believe they will support us. Yet society encourages us to avoid vulnerability, to always project strength, confidence, and poise. Although this is certainly advisable in some situations in life, when tit comes to important, ongoing relationships, it stifles our ability to build trust."
In order for us to be vulnerable as ministry we must get over 3 basic fears: The first is the fear of losing people. We are often afraid if we show weakness that people will not follow us. On the contrary people respect honest humility.
Secondly there is always a fear of being embarrassed. None of us like to make mistakes but it is always better to admit them and take responsibility for them. I don't know about you, but I have great respect for those who are willing to admit they messed up rather than covering it up or blaming somebody else.
Finally the fear of feeling inferior. None of us like to admit that we don't have all the answers, especially when people are counting on us for advice. Unfortunately we are all too often concerned about protecting our intellectual pride and maintaining our social status.
Why do I bring this up? Too many pastors and leaders are insecure enough not to make themselves vulnerable, when in reality we can best emulate Jesus when those opportunities confront us.
After all didn't almighty God become a man?
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